Othello and A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Cunningly, and little by little, Iago begins to undermine Othello’s faith in Desdemona’s fidelity whilst appearing to be reluctant to say anything at all…

“So, speak to me your feelings, the good as well as bad.”

“Oh my Lord,” replied Iago, “such an order makes me sad,

For although in acts of duty, in every way I’m bound,

As a man who’s free, I am not bound, to give my thinking sound.”

“Why, say my thoughts were vile and false…as thoughts can oft times be,

What if I were mistaken Sir, would you then take note of me?

Why then build a troubled mind, with what is vague…unsure?

It would not serve your interest so…do not press me, I implore.”

“My interest?” Othello asked, “What is it that you mean?” 

“I’ll explain Sir,” said Iago, “let me set for you…a scene.

Steal the purse of a man or woman, very little have they lost,

But, steal from them their good name…and they cannot count the cost.”

My One True Friend

Are we all, to some degree, racist without realising it? The subject of racism can cough up questions which get uncomfortably personal. How many friends of another skin colour have you got? Is it a fair proportion? Have you got any? Have you gone on a trip with them or sacrificed something important for them, as friends are sometimes called upon to do? If you fail your own expectations, you could put it down to lack of opportunity or peer pressure from family and friends. Or you could insist you are not racist – it is simply a cultural difference.

Mixed marriages can sometimes be under severe social pressure. Yet society does seem to be integrating more and more. Maybe the pressure will increase until multiracialism is the norm. Future generations will wonder what the fuss was all about. All lives matter. The purpose of this play is to urge you to think about these matters. Each of the characters is affected by racism in some way. Which character would you most associate yourselves with?

Macbeth and Julius Caesar

Macbeth, with the murder on his mind, has a vision.

“Is this a dagger I can see… see but cannot touch?

The hilt is turned toward my hand, but still… I cannot clutch.

It is a dagger… of the mind to lead me to his room

Although unreal, it’s like the one I draw to seal his doom.”

He draws his dagger.

“I must move soft, that no one hears my footsteps on the stone

In silence then I make my way, my presence never known…”

A bell rings.

“The signal sounds, the time has come for Duncan… it’s a knell

I go… it’s done, I send him now to heaven, or… to hell.”

He enters the room.

End of Scene 1